SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2674

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 1, 2023

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2674.

      As amended and reported, this bill prohibits the installation or modification of the muffler or exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which amplifies or increases the noise emitted by the muffler or exhaust system of the motor vehicle above that emitted by the muffler or exhaust system originally installed on the vehicle. The bill also prohibits the sale of a muffler or exhaust system that is equipped with a device which amplifies or increases the noise emitted by a motor vehicle. The penalty for violating the provisions of the bill is a fine not exceeding $500, or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both.

      The bill also requires motor vehicle inspections to include the inspection of mufflers and exhaust systems for excessive or unusual noise.

      The bill also provides that the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) may deny, suspend, or revoke a private inspection facility license or refuse renewal thereof if a private inspection facility, on more than one occasion within a period of 18 months, is found to: (1) install or modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; (2) install or modify the muffler of a motor vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; or (3) improperly inspect a motor vehicle for excessive or unusual noise of the muffler or exhaust system. In addition, an entity that contracts with the commission to provide inspection services at an official inspection facility is subject to a fine of not more than $500 if, on more than one occasion within a period of 18 months, the entity is found to: (1) install or modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; (2) install or modify the muffler of a motor vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; or (3) improperly inspect a motor vehicle for excessive or unusual noise of the muffler or exhaust system.

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  provide that an auto body repair facility is prohibited from installing or modifying of the muffler or exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which amplifies or increases the noise emitted by the muffler or exhaust system of the motor vehicle above that emitted by the muffler or exhaust system originally installed on the vehicle;

      (2)  add a definition for the term “auto body repair facility”;

      (3)  prohibit the sale of a muffler or exhaust system that is equipped with a device which amplifies or increases the noise emitted by a motor vehicle;

      (4)  provide that the Chief Administrator of the commission may deny, suspend, or revoke a private inspection facility license or refuse renewal thereof if a private inspection facility, on more than one occasion within a period of 18 months, is found to: (a) install or modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; (b) install or modify the muffler of a motor vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; or (c) improperly inspect a motor vehicle for excessive or unusual noise of the muffler or exhaust system; and

      (5)  provide that an entity that contracts with the commission to provide inspection services at an official inspection facility is subject to a fine of not more than $500 if, on more than one occasion within a period of 18 months, the entity is found to: (a) install or modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; (b) install or modify the muffler of a motor vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; or (c) improperly inspect a motor vehicle for excessive or unusual noise of the muffler or exhaust system.